Illini struggle in win over weak Eastern Michigan

Sunday

Dec 28, 2008 at 12:01 AM

There's little chance -- if any -- for Illinois to take a day off in the Big Ten Conference. After shuffling through a 62-53 victory over Eastern Michigan before a crowd of 16,288 at Assembly Hall on Sunday, the Illini start the Big Ten season with road games against No. 10 Purdue on Tuesday and No. 24 Michigan next Sunday.

John Supinie

There's little chance -- if any -- for Illinois to take a day off in the Big Ten Conference.

After shuffling through a 62-53 victory over Eastern Michigan before a crowd of 16,288 at Assembly Hall on Sunday, the Illini start the Big Ten season with road games against No. 10 Purdue on Tuesday and No. 24 Michigan next Sunday. Illinois posted a surprising 12-1 record in the non-conference season, but the Big Ten keeps looking better.

OK, it could have been worse. Remember, the Illini lost to Miami (of Ohio) and Tennessee State last season at home to limp into Big Ten play, and a loss to Western Michigan in November cost Illinois a bowl trip in football.

Yet there was an extra level missing from a program that's presumably shooting for a top-25 ranking. Perhaps that left some doubt just when the Illini were winning back some fans.

"Are we good?'' Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "We'll find out Tuesday night. People felt maybe Purdue and Michigan State were so much ahead of everyone else. Right now, there's might be a little bit of doubt. You win the Big Ten if you win on the road. We have our first chance right away.''

If so, duplicating the effort against Eastern Michigan won't work most nights in the Big Ten. Coming off a 16-point victory over No. 25 Missouri and a two-day break for Christmas, the Illini showed little sign of life against the Eagles, who hadn't won a game against a Division I team.

Illinois center Mike Tisdale tied a career high with 25 points after shaking off poor shooting in the first half. He scored 17 points while playing all 20 minutes in the second half. Guard Trent Meacham had 16 points, thanks to 4-for-5 shooting from the 3-point line. Point guard Chester Frazier grabbed 11 rebounds, but the Illini lost the rebounding battle 30-28.

Those were the highlights on a day when Eastern Michigan's zone defense and Illinois' lack of emotion put the largest crowd of the season at the Hall to sleep.

"We had our first two (Big Ten) games at home last year,'' Meacham said. "We didn't start off too well. Hopefully, we have a chance to surprise some people. We have to be ready to go every game. We have to be excited for it.

"We're definitely a better team than a year ago. We have to play with emotion. We have guys who can score. We have to hang our hat on defense, playing tough and playing hard. If we do that, we can be a tough team in the Big Ten.''

Forward Mike Davis and guard Demetri McCamey, the team's top two scorers this season, played their way to the bench for the second time in three games. McCamey, who scored 18 of his 20 points against Missouri in the first half, logged just 4 minutes in the second half and 16 for the game, while Davis played 22.

They combined for four points, 22 below their combined average.

"If we're going to be good, especially be consistent in the Big Ten, that's where we have to grow up and find that emotion and play hard every day,'' Weber said. "It's within. For the most part, older teams win because they've been through it, deal with the unexpected and get ready for every game. They have that emotional lift. It's hard for freshmen and sophomores to see the clock slipping away.

"(McCamey and Davis) had a couple shots didn't go down. They let that get to them. You still have to guard, rebound and fight. You have to be valuable. Their whole mindset is shots and do I score points. There are games when you do the other things. We play Chester those minutes because he does the everything else.''

Eastern Michigan (2-10) staggered into the game with wins against NAIA Marygrove and Division II Wayne State. Eastern Michigan, picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference west division, suffered a key loss in November with a season-ending foot injury to preseason all-conference guard Carlos Medlock.

But Illinois couldn't build more than a seven-point lead in the first half and a 13-point advantage after halftime.

Justin Dobbins scored 14 points and Brandon Bowdry had 13 for Eastern Michigan. The athletic forwards proved difficult for the Illini to defend.

NOTES: A transfer from Kentucky playing his third game with the Illini, guard Alex Legion recorded his first three assists for Illinois. … Frazier finished in double figures in rebounding for the fourth time in his career. Against Eastern Michigan, he was two rebounds short of his career high. … Illinois doesn't play at home against until Jan. 10 against Indiana.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.

Illinois report card

Front court: D

Mike Tisdale tied a career high with 25 points, but the Illini had difficulty rebounding (losing the battle of the boards 30-28) and defending Eastern Michigan's athletic forwards. Mike Davis didn't show up.

Back court: B

Seniors Trent Meacham and Chester Frazier do what they do. Meacham hit open shots, including two 3-pointers early in the second half to provide a cushion. Frazier does things other than score, such as his 11 rebounds. Somebody wake up Demetri McCamey.

Bench: C

Calvin Brock brought a spark from the bench. Big men Dominique Keller and Rich Semrau couldn't get into the flow, and Alex Legion is still trying to find his niche.

Overall: C

This is being terribly kind. Perhaps it's also a reminder of last season, when the Illini would lose a game like this. If there's hope for an upper-division finish in the Big Ten and an NCAA berth, the Illini must learn to bring it every night. Otherwise, there are just too many games that will be lost in a suddenly deeper Big Ten Conference. From here, it gets much more difficult for the Illini.

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